It is not as insular as you think; the druggies have discovered that rural properties are an easy target because the time lag on police response. We are have to fortify our homes and farmyards. This is really tough to deal with for those of us that grow up never even having a look on the door and leaving our keys in the ignition incase our neighbours needed to use the phone or get home in an emergency.

@HeathenFarmer Sorry to hear that. I seek isolation but find intrusion often. It would be difficult to secure such a property as yours. Is there any recourse? Groups that can patrol?. Mine fields?

@Countrywoman Gates, electrified fences, dogs and video camera do seem to help reduce it. Looking out for your neighbours helps, too, pay attention to the coming and going of vehicles. The problems really start when the f**ks know farmers are off working in the field or adage people go to work in town.

Ya gotta do what ya gotta do but hornets & wasps are valuable pest control.

@Countrywoman I have an over abundance of wasps and hornets, not enough honey bees or wild bees. One of the insects that wasps and hornets prey upon are bees.

@Surfpirate yes, I have no love lost for hornets or certain wasps. If we need more predators, I am happy to support many others, like dragonflies. ?

@MikeInBatonRouge The horseflies and the deerflies are out in force lately and I can tell when the dragonflies are out too, it makes the difference between constantly checking to make sure that I don't have some blood sucking fly landing on me and no flies. The dragonflies are like my miniature air force flying top over me and swooping down to devour any flies that want to loll around my head looking for a place to bite.

@Surfpirate isn't nature gentle and harmonious?

I farm only 6 quarters but, they are spread out. Purchasing blocks of land here is nearly impossible so when expanding you buy what you can within a reasonable distance.

@HeathenFarmer 6 x 160 acres is 960 acres which a lot of dirt. I used to hunt Hungarian Partridge out near Brookes with a buddy who's pal owned 6 sections. I asked him what was within bounds so we didn't trespass and he just said if you go beyond the horizon then you may have gone too far.

The lack of bees in areas is getting to be a very common phenomena and a problem.

The bees are being destroyed by the pesticide agribusiness is using.

I know where she is but there is only a bolt hole that goes into the space between the inner frame and the outer. I know how to move bees and have the equipment but just no way to get them out of the tube. I even have a nice indoor wood pile to have put the in but they aren't going to be moved.